Movie Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

[xrr rating=3/5]

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
2008, 99mins, PG
Director: Dave Filoni
Writer (s): Henry Gilroy, George Lucas, Steven Melching, Scott Murphy
Cast includes: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor, Samuel L Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels
Release Date: 15th August 2008

It’s been long predicted that the first chance George Lucas was allowed to conceive a Star Wars film without actors he would, and whilst it’s taken a little longer than some might have supposed in 2008 he came out and did it with the fully animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The film wasn’t particularly well received by critics and even less welcomed by fans and less than a month into release it was clear that Dave Filoni and co. where responsible for the first Star Wars film ever to flop. The picture grossed $64 million worldwide, previous entries would have had no bother racking that number up in a matter of 48 hours in the States alone. So going into watch the picture on DVD my expectations where low, yet somehow despite several glaring flaws the film caught me. I’m not a Star Wars diehard though certainly a fan, and so on that basis I’m quite prepared to say I was modestly amused by this entry.
The story is easily the least epic of all the films yet, Jabba the Hutt has had his young son mysteriously kidnapped and as a reward for those who find him the iconic slug is willing to offer safe trading and passage over his considerable territory. On one side the Republic have the Jedi looking for the youngster, chiefly Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor), Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) and his new Padwan Ahsoka (Ashley Eckstein). On the other hand the bad guys are using Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and his crafty and slightly Darth Maulish apprentice Ventress (Nikka Futterman). The two factions battle in an attempt to save the Hutt’s life, and as the Jedi get closer they unveil a plot not only to kill the child but also his guardian.
Star Wars: Clone Wars is in effect a pilot for a forthcoming TV show, and in truth that is exactly how the feature plays out. Having missed the film theatrically I was forced to watch on the small screen which seems a more natural home for this scaled down version of Luca’s world. Filoni has done a decent job here but the script and feel of the product are to minor for the picture of ever having a realistic hope of being a theatrical success.
The voice work is pretty good, very few of the original cast have been roped back in yet there stand in’s do a rather remarkable job. Both Matt Lanter and James Arnold Taylor sound exactly who they’re emulating in this case Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor respectively. Ashley Eckstein is a little annoying as the vocals for Anakin’s chirpy and rash new Padwan learner but Samuel L Jackson and Christopher Lee reprise their respective roles with gusto. Anthony Daniels also appears once again as CP-30 making him the only actor to have played a part in every segment of what is now a seven part story.
The visuals are solid though again in truth more TV quality than those capable of going up against a studio like Pixar or Blue Sky. The animation style is pretty unique and gives the picture a nice look and feel, whilst Filoni has conducted and constructed some surprisingly enjoyable and entertaining battle sequences. The lightsaber duels don’t hold the same weight in this medium but the large scale firefights on show are well structured and engaging, indeed the battle scene at Clone Wars beginning is just as impressive as several set-piece staples in this franchise galaxy. The studio behind the story has changed and as a result some artistic changes have had to take place, the famous theme has had to be redesigned for example, but for the most part these differences are played down so that they cause minimum distraction to the fans.
In truth Clone Wars is minor success because it captures the spirit of the franchise well and delivers some delightful battle sequences. The story is under plotted and unworthy of cinema release and the dialogue is as inconsistent as ever but in a fluffy and enjoyable sort of way Clone Wars works. It’s pretty forgettable but by the same token I can’t understand the complete battering it received on release, after all what where folks expecting from a cartoon version of Star Wars? In the end this is one film that is what it is, and whilst that means it’s incredibly imperfect it also entails that he picture is fun and reasonably entertaining. I wouldn’t in truth have it any other way.